He learned, however, that many of the other captains, of whom the court must be formed, shared his junior's views, although they shrank, with the submissiveness of military men, from the decisive act of disobedience.

The result of a trial must therefore be doubtful.

He was, moreover, a fiddler, as Nelson continually styled him, shifting back and forth, from opinion to opinion, and to be relied upon for only one thing,--to dodge responsibility, if possible.
Consequently, no official action was taken; the commander-in-chief contented himself with washing his hands of all accountability.

He had given orders which would clear himself, in case Nelson's conduct was censured in England.

If, on the contrary, it was approved, it would redound to the credit of the station.
The matter was soon brought to a test.